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Curriculum guide

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM

Please note: Curriculum for the Fall 2019 semester is currently under revision. Please
make sure to have a one-on-one conference with program faculty to get the most current
information.

General Overview

The Pharmacy Technician Program consist of a Diploma, as well as two embedded certificates.
They are designed to prepare the student for a career in community, hospital or other
pharmacy environments, working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist (RPh).
The courses will prepare the student to take the national Pharmacy Certification Technician
Certification Exam (PTCE), administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
(PTCB). Further information about the exam may be found at www.ptcb.org. Once the exam is taken and passed, the student will be allowed to use the designation
CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician). The programs are offered at Jefferson Community
and Technical College, Downtown Campus, Health Sciences Building, room 351A.

Contact Information:

Because faculty spend the majority of their time teaching, the preferred method of
contact is via email. Part of the selective admissions process is for interested students
to meet with Pharmacy Technician faculty, so it is STRONGLY urged you contact the Program Coordinator (Angie Riley) for your advising needs.

Admission Policies and Procedures:

College Admission

The student must first apply to the college. This can be done on-line or in-person
on the first floor of the Jefferson Educational Center. Admission to the College does not imply admission to the Pharmacy Technology Program. An Admissions Application may be found on the college website.

Program admission

All Jefferson Community and Technical College admission requirements must be met prior
to enrolling in the pharmacy technician program. The following is a guide to general
college placement scores. Students must specifically place in or above MAT 65 for
the pharmacy technician program, or be approved by program coordinator.

ASSESSMENT & PLACEMENT SCORES

Reading Course Placement

ACT

COMPASS

KYOTE

TABE A

KCTCS Course

20 or higher

85-100

20 or higher

10.8-12.9

None required

N/A

80-84

N/A

9.1-10.7

RDG 185

N/A

70-79

N/A

5.2-9.0

RG 030* or RDG 100*

N/A

0-69

N/A

0-5.1

EES

Reading scores are valid for 5 years.

*Students who take RDG 030 or RDG 100 do not need to take RDG 185; however, RDG 100
students must also be enrolled in a designated co-requisite course.

Please note that the program’s requirements are in some cases lower than college requirements.
In certain cases, certificate students do not have to meet all the college’s general
requirements. Please see an advisor if there are any questions. If these scores are
not achieved, developmental math/English courses will be required as per the college’s
standards. If you do not meet these requirements, please see an advisor to enroll
in the appropriate developmental courses and complete them with a “C” or better.

You are highly encouraged to take any and all non-core classes that you will need
to meet your certificate or diploma requirements prior to filling out a pharmacy technology
program application. Students who have academic records that are more complete will
be better prepared for the program and more likely to gain admittance. Those courses
include:

COM 101 is acceptable for certificate programs but will not meet the requirements
for the diploma.

Anatomy and Physiology- for diploma program.

BIO 130 OR BIO 135, OR BIO 137 AND 139.

Personal Finance or Workplace Principles – for diploma program.

BAS 120 OR WPP 200 OR EFM 100.

There is the option for a test-out of this course. Please ask the program coordinator.

Other courses

The following courses are not required, but are recommended if additional classes
are needed. These classes also make up the Basic Healthcare Foundations I and II certificates
offered by the college, and can contribute to the attainment of a General Occupational
and Technical Studies (GOTS) or Health Science Technology (HST) degree.

Basic Health Care Foundations

HST 101 – Health Care Core Curriculum: Basic Skills I (3)

CPR is included in the course and that is a requirement for pharmacy techs.

(Note: this course is in process of transitioning to a 3 hour course – please contact
program coordinator for clarification).

Intermediate Health Care Foundations

HST 121 - Health Care Core Curriculum: Pharmacology (2)

HST 122 - Health Care Core Curriculum: Pathophysiology (3)

(A&P is prerequisite)

HST 123 - Health Care Core Curriculum: Basic Skills II (2)

These two certificates will be applicable toward the Health Science Technology Degree,
but can also help better prepare students for other health career programs. Completion
of significant amount of any healthcare courses may offer greater advantage with regard
to selective admission.

Technical Standards

The pharmacy technician performs technical functions under the direction of a Registered
Pharmacist; including prescription preparation, inventory, repackaging, and compounding.
Laboratory experience and an externship under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist
are required components of the program. Therefore, in order to work successfully with
clients, all students should possess:

Sufficient visual acuity, such as observation necessary for packaging and labeling
drug products;

Sufficient auditory perception to receive and interpret verbal communication from
individuals and groups;

Sufficient fine and gross motor skills to provide timely and safe medication preparation
over long periods of time;

For students who are interested in beginning in the fall, the meeting should be scheduled
prior to April 15th.

Deadlines may be extended due to program interest.

Ensure you have applied for enrollment to the college in general and that your official
transcripts have been received by the registrar’s office.

Also, provide the Pharmacy Tech department copies of any unofficial post-secondary
transcripts you may have, as well as complete and submit a selective admissions/program
interest form.

Selected applicants will be notified at least 30 days prior to the start of class.

Time must be given for selective admissions committee to approve or deny the application.

Post Admission Requirements and Deadlines

The prospective student should be prepared to submit to background check and drug
screening within the first two weeks of class, and the cost (approximately $61.20)
is deferred to the student. The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy and the PTCB prohibits
persons with a felony or drug related convictions to serve as pharmacy technicians:

315.135 Registration as pharmacy technician required to assist in the practice of
pharmacy -- Exemptions.

Effective April 1, 2009, a person shall not assist in the practice of pharmacy unless
he or she is duly registered as a pharmacy technician under the provisions of this
chapter or is exempt under subsection (2) of this section.

A person may assist in the practice of pharmacy without obtaining the registration
required by this section if the person:

Has filed an application with the board in accordance with KRS 315.136 and no more
than thirty (30) days has elapsed since the date the applicant was first employed
by the pharmacy. The exemption shall not apply if: 1. The application has been denied;
2. The person is less than sixteen (16) years of age; or

The person has previously been denied a registration or has had a registration revoked
or suspended in any jurisdiction and the registration has not yet been issued or reinstated;

Is in the employ of a son, daughter, spouse, parent, or legal guardian; or

Is participating in a work-study program through an accredited secondary or postsecondary
educational institution.

Accreditation:

Jefferson Community and Technical College is a public, postsecondary institution accredited
by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
to award the associate degree. The Pharmacy Technology Diploma ONLY is accredited
by the American Society of HealthSystems Pharmacists.

Credentialing Exam(s)/Licensures:

Upon successful completion of this program the student is well prepared to take the
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.

Financial Information/Expenses:

Student should only visit Financial Aid about Financial Aid questions.

Questions about tuition costs should be directed to the records office.

Questions about payment issues directed to bursar’s office.

Phone: 855.2GO.5282

Email: help.jefferson@kctcs.edu

Questions about program specific expenses directed to the program. 502.213.4008

Security Charge - $40 offsets the costs of security in all college facilities, including
security personnel, equipment, and lighting.

Late Payment Charge - $75 will be assessed to all accounts not paid by the published
payment deadline.

Reinstatement Charge - $75 will be assessed to any student who requests reenrollment
if removed from classes due to non-payment.

Facility Usage Charge - $25 assessed per course to students who enroll in a KHP course
to help pay the cost of access to the YMCA or other facility.

Parking Charge - $25 per term assessed to students who request a parking permit.

ALL Fees/Charges are non–refundable

Books:

We encourage students to purchase books in any manner that saves costs.

A letter will be sent to students who are accepted into the program, listing the books
required.

Retail costs of books required for core courses are estimated at $600

Uniforms: Uniforms are approximately $25 and up.

Liability insurance: There is a $11 fee assessed when you sign up for your clinical
class, PHA 250.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Testing - $61.20. Typically, this is only required
once during the program.

Transportation to clinical sites: varies depend on whether student has personal transportation
or public transportation.

PTCB exam fee: $129 (www.PTCB.org).

CPR certification:

If you have a current CPR certification, you do not need to retake.

Just present your card to the program coordinator.

If you need to take CPR, it may be offered during the calendar on campus, in class,
by a third party.

Additional information

Our catalog lists two certificates, Retail and Pharmacy Technician I as options for
this program.

PLEASE NOTE: although you will earn those certificates as part of your diploma studies, they ARE NOT accredited tracks. Accreditation standards require programs are at least 600 contact
hours in length. Only the diploma and degree options have that distinction. You WILL NOT be awarded an accredited credential unless the minimum diploma requirements are met.

In the near future only graduates from an ASHP accredited program will be allowed
to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Verification Board Exam. As such, the certifications
will be phased out. See comparison of diploma versus degree options below.

Additional technical hours will be required (average of 13 ADDITIONAL hours). Please
consult with program faculty

***Health Science Technical Course selection must result in final attainment of a
minimum of three (3) certificate credentials. Students may be able to earn certificates
that are already present in other curricula, including but not limited to: Basic Health
Care Foundations, Intermediate Health Care Foundations, Nursing Assistant, Advanced
Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy for the Healthcare Worker, Pharmacy Technician I, Insurance
Coding, Medical Office Radiology

This is the one area where a pharmacy technician certificate may be of use to the
student. However, remember anything less than the diploma CANNOT be awarded a credential
bearing the ASHP logo.

Sample Curriculum and Course Sequence

First semester courses

Course name and number

Credit Hours

PHA 110 Pharmacy Procedures and Skills

6

PHA 125 Pharmacy Calculations

3

PHA 136 Pharmacology

3

Second Semester: Pharmacy Technician

Course name and number

Credit Hours

PHA 200 IV Preparations

3

PHA 200 Admixture Preparations

1

PHA 250 Pharmacy Experience

3

PHA 200 IV Preparations

3

PHA 200 Admixture Preparations

1

PHA 210 Drug Classifications

6

Third Semester: Pharmacy Technician

Course name and number

Credit Hours

PHA 250 Pharmacy Experience

3

Preadmission conference Dates/Sites

Students MUST make an appointment to conference with program faculty one-on-one to
discuss program requirements, etc.

Curriculum guide addendum

What does a Pharmacy Technician do?

The purpose of the pharmacy technician program at Jefferson Community and Technical
College is to prepare the student for entry-mid level position in a pharmacy setting
by using didactic, hands-on and experiential instruction in the essential areas in
which a technician must function. This education will also prepare the student to
take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam. The following list
of duties is excerpted from the National Pharmacy Technician Association and may be
accessed at pharmacytechnician.org.

Basic Job Duties

Prepare medications under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. Measure, mix, count,
label and record amounts of dosages of medications. Receive written prescriptions
or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate. Maintain
proper storage and security conditions for drugs. Answer telephones, responding to
questions or requests when appropriate. Fill bottles with prescribed medications and
type and affix labels. Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items,
or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information. Price and file prescriptions
that have been filled. Clean and help maintain equipment and work areas. Establish
and maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual
patients. Order, label and count stock of medication, chemicals and supplies. Enter
and maintain inventory into the computer system. Sterile product preparation, including
TPNs (total parenteral nutrition) and chemotherapy treatments. Prepare and process
medical insurance claim forms and records. Mix pharmaceutical preparations according
to written prescriptions (compounding). Operate cash registers to accept payment from
customers. Compute charges for medication and equipment dispensed to health-system
patients. Deliver medications and pharmaceutical supplies to patients, nursing stations
or satellite locations. Price stock and mark items for sale. Maintain and merchandise
over-the-counter medications, products and supplies.

Employment Outlook and Average Earnings

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics pharmacy technicians is projected
to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.
Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical
services. (www.bls.gov), and further information about the median wages, etc., can
be find on that website. It is important to note that this is a very fast growing
and fast changing industry with different regulations in each state. The one constant
is that certified and formally trained pharmacy technicians tend to have higher pay
and greater opportunity in more areas. The Jefferson Community and Technical College
pharmacy technician program’s purpose it to provide that foundation for success and
prepare the student for the national certification exam, the PTCB.

Further indication of the state of affairs with regard to pharmacy technicians can
be found in the National Pharmacy Technician Association’s report “Learning About
Earnings”. NPTA CEO Mike Johnston’s inference: “The data collected indicates both
progress and decline for the pharmacy technician career. CPhTs are earning more, receiving
greater benefits and remaining in the field longer compared to statistics from three
years ago…This indicates progress; significant, tangible, quantitative progress. Non-certified
pharmacy technicians, on the other hand, are experiencing a career decline – earning
less, receiving fewer benefits and having a shorter career span. The entire survey
can be summarized in the following statement: The more technicians put into their
career, the more they get out of it.”